The victim of a terrifying domestic violence incident feared she would be burnt alive after being doused with diesel and watching her partner hold a lighter near her.
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The woman rocked back and forth in Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Wednesday as police read her victim impact statement following the incident on May 3.
Daniel William Morgan, 48, pleaded guilty to four charges related to the attack at the pair's business on Osboldstone Road.
"I'm on the ledge, do what you can to protect yourself, changes are coming, heads up," he told her in a text message.
Morgan arrived at their property, where they had been staying in a bungalow, and began smashing her possessions, leaving the woman "stunned".
After smashing a television, laptop, and computer, Morgan slammed her head into the concrete floor and held her down with his thumb around her throat.
All of his weight was on her, and he screamed while opening a large diesel container, yelling "why do you have to be so argumentative".
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"If I'm going to die, you're coming with me," he said.
Morgan poured the fuel onto her hair and held a lighter 10 centimetres from her thigh.
The victim realised she needed to talk him down if she was going to survive.
She eventually escaped after having a cigarette with Morgan and called police.
Morgan set fire to the factory, causing it to flood with water, and fled.
He called a men's behaviour change phone line a short time after the incident but also changed vehicles in Albury, and brought a razor to remove his beard in an apparent bid to avoid authorities.
He was arrested on Ford Street in Wangaratta on May 5 and has remained in custody.
"Every day since that night has been a struggle," the victim told the court in her statement.
She fears Morgan will try to track her down.
"I do not know if you still harbour this anger towards me," she said.
"I feel I cannot escape the feeling of fear."
The mother feared she would never see her daughter or tell her she loved her again.
Morgan, a convicted rapist, wept during the proceedings.
Lawyer Fabian Brimfield said that showed his remorse and called for a prison term followed by a corrections order.
Prosecutor Heath Dosser said deterrence of domestic violence was "paramount" in such cases and called for a significant jail term.
Magistrate Mary-Anne MacCallum said she wanted to give the matter further consideration.
Morgan will be assessed for a corrections order and the case will return to court on October 8.
